Drugs

Drugs

• Any substance taken in to modify or affect chemical reactions in the body.

• Medical drugs: painkillers, antibiotics, hormones,

• Psychological drugs: nicotine, alcohol, GHB,

Antibiotics

Antibiotics

• Antibiotics are designed to kill bacteria (living organisms). They break down cell walls and membranes. Interfere with their metabolism and damage DNA.

Antibiotics

• Can not destroy viruses, since they do not have a metabolism.

Heroin

• Produced from morphine, taken from opiates found in Poppies.

• Painkiller, recreational drug.

• Physical and severe psychological dependence.

• Diamorphine, legally prescribed drug for patients trying to fight their addiction.

Heroin

• Can be injected (intra venous): slamming, shooting up, speed balling

• Smoking, inhaling: chasing the dragon

Heroin

• Effects:

• drowsiness, disorientation, low blood pressure, slow breathing rate, nausea, vomiting, constipation, muscle spasms, urine retention, itching, rash, pain killer

Heroin

• Risks:

• Infections (non-sterile needles): bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens

• Poisoning by contaminations• Addiction • Physical dependence• Constipation

Heroin

Heroin

• Crime related:

• Stealing

• Possession

• Trafficking

• Dealing

• Manufacturing

Addiction

• Drug addiction is a pathological or abnormal condition which arises due to frequent drug use. The disorder of addiction involves the progression of acute drug use to the development of drug-seeking behavior, the vulnerability to relapse, and the decreased, slowed ability to respond to naturally rewarding stimuli.

Alcohol

• The favourite (and often acceptable) mood altering drug of many human societies.

Alcohol

Alcohol

• One unit of alcohol:

• One glass of wine

• Single whisky

• Two glasses of beer

Alcohol

• Safe upper limits per week

• Man – 21 units per week and 2-3 days without

• Woman – 14 units

• Pregnant woman – zero intake

Alcohol

• Risks:

• Brain damage (long term), addiction

• Cancer of the gullet and pancreas

• Deficiency of nutrients

• Obesity

• Damage to immune system

• Impaired sexual and reproductive function

Alcohol

• High blood pressure

• Weaker, irregular heart beat

• Inflammation of the stomach

• Liver damage (enlarged, jaundice, fatty, cirrhosis)

Alcohol